Michigan Ross Named Among “Best MBA Alumni Networks” by Poets&Quants
A new article on Poets&Quants proclaims that Michigan Ross has one of the “Best MBA Alumni Networks,” citing the school’s unique shared experiences that successfully connect past, present, and future students.
P&Q describes the MBA as “more than a degree,” but rather “an unspoken agreement to pay it forward, to open the same doors as alumni will unlock for you.” This is exactly what Ross does with one of the strongest, most supportive alumni networks in the world.
The P&Q article defines Michigan Ross alumni by scale and supportiveness. As part of one of the largest alumni networks in the world, more than 51,000 Ross graduates are respected thought leaders across industries and in 108 countries.
Scale aside, “Ross MBAs are often described as ‘supportive’ and ‘always available,’” says P&Q. The article points to The Economist’s annual survey score for alumni effectiveness, where Ross tied with Stanford GSB for the highest score at 4.78 on a 5-point scale.
The Economist MBA Student Survey: Alumni EffectivenessWhich MBA alumni networks deliver guidance and opportunities? According to students, Stanford GSB and Michigan Ross top the list, edging out Dartmouth Tuck by just .01 of a point. The alumni at Northwestern Kellogg and the Wharton School continue to gain momentum, ranking 4th and 5th while boosting their student scores by .20 of a point or more. |
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|
School |
2018 Alumni Effectiveness |
2017 Alumni Effectiveness |
Difference |
|
Stanford |
4.78 |
4.77 |
0.01 |
|
University of Michigan (Ross) |
4.78 |
4.81 |
-0.03 |
|
Dartmouth (Tuck) |
4.77 |
4.79 |
-0.02 |
|
Northwestern (Kellogg) |
4.75 |
4.48 |
0.27 |
|
Wharton |
4.70 |
4.49 |
0.21 |
But it’s the Ross Alumni-in-Residence program that really caught the attention of Poets&Quants, describing participants as “formidable advocates for students.” The program “fosters deeper connections between students and alumni,” says P&Q. “Alumni volunteer three hours of their time, with MBA students able to meet with them in 20-minute increments.”
Entering its third year, Alumni-in-Residence is one of the most popular programs at Ross, according to student surveys. Students learn how to avoid and solve problems through the lessons of their predecessors, while honest and candid conversations allow alumni to be coaches, guides, and partners — and often offer invaluable connections to the jobs of a lifetime.
“(Prospective students) are not making a two-year decision, (they’re) making a lifetime decision,” said Scott DeRue, the Edward J. Frey Dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. “We very intentionally try to connect our prospective students with alumni so they get a feel for the type of community that Ross is all about. When that fit is there, it’s magical. Alumni are the very mechanism for us to start building and sustaining this culture that is near-and-dear to the Michigan Ross experience.”
Matthew Trevor, Senior PR Specialist
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